MWE Correspondent
Russian President Vladimir Putin has stated that he is not opposed to holding talks with his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelenskyy, but emphasized that such a meeting would require “certain conditions” to be in place.
Speaking during a press event earlier this week, Putin said, “I have never refused to meet with anyone. The question is about creating the necessary conditions and a meaningful agenda.” His remarks appear to leave the door open for dialogue but also suggest that the Kremlin wants to retain control over the process and timing.
This comes amid international speculation surrounding a potential high-stakes summit between Putin and former U.S. President Donald Trump, rumored to be planned for next week in the United Arab Emirates. While some had hoped this meeting could include a three-way dialogue with Zelenskyy, the Kremlin swiftly dismissed the idea of a trilateral format, saying that the focus would remain on bilateral relations with Washington.
“There will be no trilateral meeting,” a Kremlin official said. “Russia does not see the relevance of including Ukraine in talks with the United States at this stage.”
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Meanwhile, Ukrainian officials have expressed growing concern that they could be sidelined in any emerging peace initiative, especially if Putin and Trump proceed with discussions without Kyiv’s direct involvement. Zelenskyy’s administration is reportedly reaching out to key European leaders to reaffirm Ukraine’s place at the negotiating table, particularly in light of the evolving security situation.
Analysts see Putin’s openness to talks with Zelenskyy as more symbolic than substantive, noting that Moscow has often set vague or unattainable preconditions in the past. As the war grinds on with no clear end in sight, such signals from the Kremlin may be aimed at improving its diplomatic posture rather than leading to concrete progress.
The United States, for its part, has sent mixed signals. While some officials insist that Ukraine must be part of any peace talks, Trump has indicated he would be willing to meet with Putin even without Zelenskyy’s participation.
With geopolitical dynamics shifting and diplomacy once again in the spotlight, all eyes are now on whether real progress can be made—or if the conversation remains trapped in cycles of rhetoric and delay.
